Moorpark to review budget as new fiscal year approaches

The Moorpark City Council on Wednesday will review a midyear budget report for this fiscal year.

The report will help in budget discussions for fiscal year 2013-14, city officials said. The next fiscal year will start July 1.

“This report will analyze certain major funds of the city for this current fiscal year, considering the fact that we have closed the books for the first six months,” said Ron Ahlers, the city’s finance director.

The current budget has a $736,000 surplus, and revenue is estimated to be about $703,000 less than in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Revenue is estimated at $15.5 million this fiscal year. Early estimates for revenue in fiscal year 2013-14 are about $16 million.

The general fund is projected to face a roughly $1 million shortfall next fiscal year based on current projected spending levels, Ahlers said.

“This shortfall is manageable, and we have a number of options to balance the budget for (the next fiscal year),” Ahlers said.

Ahlers said the most important issue in the current fiscal year’s budget is the winding down of the city’s former redevelopment agency, which has diminished general fund revenue.

Ahlers also said that the city’s parks maintenance, community development operations and lighting and landscaping maintenance districts still need about $2.85 million in general fund contributions this fiscal year.

“Without new or expanded general fund revenue or a reduction in expenses, this will continue for the foreseeable future,” he said.